As you might have seen from my blog posts, I use a lot of different ingredients from various parts of the world to make my recipes. Each of these ingredients is something I think are delicious and essential. Unfortunately, some of these are hard to come by for many reasons, either they are simply not available in your parts of the world or simply way too expensive to purchase at your local supermarket. I find that purchasing these must-have items below is easier and cheaper to get on Amazon, the quantities are usually higher for a lower cost, which is great.
Disclaimer, these links will lead you to amazon.ca or amazon.com, if you do decide to use these links, I will receive a small commission. These contributions help in keeping this blog going, so I do appreciate all of your support. If you would like to make a random amazon purchase, I have also added a link in the sidebar which will also help support this blog. Thank you!
International
Gochujang
Korean red pepper paste; used in many Korean dishes, see this rice wrap dipping sauce recipe I made with it!
Daesang 1KG (Canada)
Chung Jung One 500g (USA)
Gochugaru
Korean red pepper flakes; used in manu Korean dishes again. I love spicing up my meals with these. Check out my kimchi hack here for an example on how to use them!
Assi 1lb (Canada)
Taw-kyung 1lb (USA)
Thai Curry Paste (Only if you can’t get your hand on traditional curry paste from asian stores)
Curry pastes are a staple in my fridge. To be honest, I always get the traditional curry pastes from asian supermarkets, although these listed below can do the job. Red is the hottest and yellow the mildest.
Red Curry Paste (Canada)
Yellow Curry Paste (Canada)
Green Curry Paste (Canada)
Red, Green and Yellow Paste (USA)
Mae Ploy Yellow Curry Paste (USA)
Sriracha
Enough said.
Huy Fong (Canada)
Huy Fong (12 pack) (USA)
Nori rolls
Raw Organic Nori Sheets 50 Sheets Pack (Canada)
Toasted Organic Nori Sheets 50 Sheets Pack (USA)
Raw Nori Sheets 100 Sheets (USA)
Sushi Rice
Sekka 15lb (Canada)
Kokuho 5lb (USA)
Miso paste
Miso paste is great to add that umami flavour to asian dishes, vegan cheeses or even salad dressings.
Hikari Red Miso Paste (Canada)
Hikari Organic White Miso Paste (USA)
Hikari Organic Red Miso Paste (USA)
Mushroom seasoning
Since I’ve tried this seasoning for the first time, it has been a necessity in my pantry. This mushroom seasoning is relatively healthy and creates the best vegetarian broths.
PoLoKu Trading (Canada)
PoLoKu Trading (USA)
Vegan Ramen
Because we all need some unhealthy comfort food in our lives, and this one is not that unhealthy.
Nonghim 4 Pack (Canada)
Nongshim 10 Pack (USA)
Nuts, Seeds, Dried Fruit & Powders
Nutritional Yeast
If you’ve never had nutritional yeast, I feel sorry for you, or should I say your taste buds. This cheese tasting non-active yeast is great in vegan mac and cheese sauce or any cheesy food you can imagine. Sprinkle it on top of broccoli and call it a day. Not only is it tasty but it is also very nutritious for you plus it packs on a heavy doze of b12.
Hoosier Hill Farm 1lb (Canada)
Hoosier Hill Farm 1lb (USA)
Peanut Butter powder
This peanut butter powder works wonders, simply mix in a few tsp of water with it and it turns into peanut butter, with about 10% or it’s usual fat content. You can basically call it healthy peanut butter. It’s powder form is great to add to overnight oats as well.
Hoosier Hill Farm 1lb (Canada)
Hoosier Hill Farm 2lb (USA)
Spinach Powder
When you’re feeling like you need a health boost, this spinach powder can come in handy. Sprinkle a few tbs of it in your fruit smoothie and you can basically call it a salad.
Hoosier Hill Farm 1lb (Canada)
Hoosier Hill Farm 1lb (USA)
Carob Powder
Carob powder is a great (and healthier) alternative to cocoa powder.
Bob’s Red Mill Toasted 510g (Canada)
Bob’s Red Mill Toasted 510g (USA)
Spirulina Powder
Spirulina is a superfood that has many health benefits such as cancer prevention, detoxifies your body, lowers blood pressure and more. I usually add a tsp (that’s all you need) to my smoothies or banana ice-cream. It sweetens the meal and give it a bright green/blue colour.
SevenHills Organix 1kg (Canada)
Healthworks Organic 1lb (USA)
Cashews
Cashews are my go-tos when I’m in the mood for vegan cheese or any type of creamy sauce. They are also great in my favourite thai dish; “chicken” with cashew nuts in a thai basil sauce. Unfortunately, they are extremely pricy, I always opt to go for the first link below if I will be using the cashews to make cheese or sauces since I will break them anyway in my blender.
Yupik 1lb Small Pieces (Canada)
Yupik 1lb Whole (Canada)
Yupik 1lb Whole Organic (Canada)
Spicy World 5lb Whole (USA)
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are great on top of smoothie bowls or as the creamy ingredients to an homemade dressing.
Manitoba Harvest 1lb (Canada)
Yupik 1kg (Canada)
Yupik 1kg Organic (Canada)
Manitoba Harvest 1lb (USA)
Sesame Seeds
Protein, Protein!
Yupik Black Sesame Seeds 1kg (Canada)
Yupik Natural Sesame Seeds 1kg (Canada)
Yupik Organic Sesame Seeds 1kg (Canada)
Bob’s Red Mill Natural Sesame Seeds 4lb (USA)
Roland’s Toasted Black Sesame Seeds 1lb (USA)
Chia Seeds
Yupik Natural 1kg (Canada)
Marquis-Nutra Foods 3lb (USA)
Flax Seeds
Yupik Organic Brown Whole Flax Seeds 1kg (Canada)
Yupik Golden Whole Flax Seeds 1kg (Canada)
Yupik Ground Brown Flax Seeds 1kg (Canada)
Premium Gold Whole Flax Seeds 6lb (USA)
Viva Naturals Organic Ground Flax Seeds 1lb (USA)
Sunflower Seeds
Yupik 1kg (Canada)
Bob’s Red Mill 567g x 4 (USA)
Raw Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)
Yupik 1lb (Canada)
Braga Organic Farms Raw Pumpkin Seeds 2lb (USA)
Dates
Yupik Pitted 1kg (Canada)
Bergin Nut Company Organic Medjool Dates 400g (USA)
Sundried Tomatoes
These sundried tomatoes are great to add to homemade salad dressings.
Yupik 1kg (Canada)
Roland’s 2.5lb (USA)
Shredded Coconut
Shredded coconut is one of my favourite smoothie bowl toppings, it’s delicious in homemade granola and healthy sweets.
Yupik 1kg (Canada)
Jensal Valley 226g (USA)
Vital Wheat Gluten
You might have never heard of this ingredient before, but it’s also known as the base for seitan, also known as vegan meat. A recipe will soon be posted in the blog and I will link back to it once it becomes available.
Bob’s Red Mill 623g (Canada)
Bob’s Red Mill 623g x 4 (USA)
Vegan Textured Proteins
These two textured proteins are great at mimicking ground meats in tacos for example or even dumplings.
Bob’s Red Mill Texture Vegetable Protein (TVP) (Canada)
Bob’s Red Mill Texture Soy Protein (TSP) (Canada)
Bob’s Red Mill Texture Soy Protein (TSP) x 4 (USA)
Vegan Protein Powder for Shakes
Vega Greens and Chocolate Protein Powder (Canada)
Vega Greens and Chocolate Protein Powder (USA)
Clif Bars
These are great to have on hand for a quick and filling snack. Clif bar are accidentally vegan, which is great, although they can be quite pricy. Amazon has some of the best pricing I’ve seen for these. My personal favourite is the white chocolate macadamia nut.
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut 12 Count (Canada)
Chocolate Almond Fudge 12 Count (Canada)
Crunchy Peanut Butter 12 Count (Canada)
Cool Mint Chocolate 12 Count (Canada)
Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch 12 Count (Canada)
Chocolate Chip 12 Count (Canada)